Leather vs. vinyl seats

[aslives]

So I'm going to have the seats for my 1979 spider redone - finally. Found a guy who will do custom covers - $700 for vinyl and $1,000 for leather.

I live in CA - pretty hot and dry - leather sounds good but I'm wondering if that's a mistake.

Any advice?

[PininF]

I would have leather over vinyl any day but just remember to treat it once a year with a good quality leather conditioner/softener over time it will give a beautiful worn look…That said there are some very good quality vinyls out there…
I would talk to a few upholsterers first and find out what's best suited for a convertible.

Good luck with your project.

[Jimb]

My wifes BMW convertible is vinyl and she hates it. She wants to get the seats reupholstered in either leather or vinyl. We just cam back from a 2,400 mile trip and the vinyl was sticky and hot, whereas my Volumex which is leather is always comfortable. But as stated previously, keep the leather well treated.
Jim

[azruss]

There is such a huge spread in quality of materials. The original vinyl: naugehyde is an extremely durable material. They outlast the factory vinyl by triple. I would put its wear factor above any leather seats i have seen. Regardless of the quality, they get very hot and dont breathe. The old school thick leather requires maintenance as mentioned. It is not well suited to the constant solar attack from a convertable. Over age, they will get stiff. My most recent Volvo had leatherette, which was a much thinner leather on a cloth backing. Made for a much softer seat with the great look of leather. Being in Arizona, I opted for cloth just to save my skin from being fused to the hot vinyl seat. I've been more than satisfied with the choice.

[v6spider]

My preference is cloth.. Hands down ...leather second..cloth stays cooler by far..

[toplessexpat]

I've got Marine Vinyl - stays pretty cool in our 95+ weather down here.

PininF - your interior.... is incredible!

[PininF]

Thanks for the compliment topless , but the interior shown isn't mine…Just used it as an example as to how good leather looks…That said It's exactly what I have planed for my Dino.
Cheers.

[AndyS]

my seats were done in a motorcycle vinyl which is doesn't get as hot as regular vinyl, (it has a thick cloth backing that draws away heat) and is not as slippery. I did the centers in a perforated motorcycle vinyl material , which stays cooler and does not stick to me. You may want to inquire about this material. perfect for open cars IMO.

this is similar to the material in my seats

http://www.motoparthub.com/9446_36_SADD ... 7AodcTQAaQ

[toplessexpat]

Thanks for the compliment topless , but the interior shown isn't mine…Just used it as an example as to how good leather looks…That said It's exactly what I have planed for my Dino.
Cheers.

... darn you! I was about to wax lyrical about the replica ferrari dash in there etc..... The center console has given me some ideas though.... .... and now I've noticed the Air Cleaner.... doh!

Adding to the main thread... I've come across these seats

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_ ... ort%20seat

Which allegedly fit... and come in a range of colors (the Corbeau Sports Seat is the model) ...

... and there's even a bracket already made...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RMBY7G

.... given the cost of recovering, and straightening the seats - I'm very very tempted by these for my FI... if originality isn't an issue - then these are worth a look.

A

[PininF]

Yeah wasn't getting caught out with that…
Had another look at my photo bucket and found a few more pics,can post a photo of the dash if you like.

[btoran]

i think one or two forum members have installed the corbeau sport seats.

[4uall]

This interior always inspires me

[TX82FIAT]

Toplessexpat, I really like those seats. I saw a Spider with what i think was those seats back in 2011 in nashville. i asked the owner if I could sit in them and realized my field of view was elevated a couple inches. I'm not tall, but at just over 6 ft I did not like the field of view at all. Think about having to significantly lean forward and lower your head to see a stop light with the top up. I was all in until sitting in the elevated seats.

[toplessexpat]

Well - you know how tall I am

I've just got off the phone from Corbeau... the seat height is .25" less than the stock spider one. I suspect that you may have been looking at a similar seat (the GTS II) ??

[ClarkTheShark]

Well - you know how tall I am

I've just got off the phone from Corbeau... the seat height is .25" less than the stock spider one. I suspect that you may have been looking at a similar seat (the GTS II) ??

Corbeau is outright lying. I bought these seats a few months ago and did a write up on it. They do sit higher than my factory seats. But i didn't have a good frame of reference because my factory seats were worn down and collapsed basically. Im 6'0", If i were an inch taller, I think id be in trouble as far as ride height and positioning. Of course, everyone's body dimensions are different - the seat may work perfectly for you.

Here is my original post:

http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=27610

One issue you will run into is the bracket required. I made my own. works great. all you need is a welder and a grinder.

Another issue is the fact that the corbeau's don't have a seatbelt guide. I also made my own: http://1drv.ms/1q8EN00

To be honest, I'm happy with my seats. very happy. If i had to do it again, i would find some factory seat in good condition and have them recovered.

Jay